Everything has changed

[cariad]

Gwyn just called. He lost his job. Apparently, they've eliminated engineering in the midst of massive restructuring. Something like that? I don't know, just that it wasn't his fault. I wonder how many millions the CEO will get in bonuses.

God I am fed up with this country. I have no idea what we are going to do now.

He just got home. I don't know what to say to him. He does not deserve this!

[MooseMom]

Oh cariad, I don't know what to say!  I know you all have been seriously considering emigrating for a while; do you think this may be a blessing in disguise?

Gwyn is such a smashing chappie; I am so sorry about this.  Please give him a big hug from me.  You're right; he doesn't deserve this.  These days, most people who lose their jobs don't deserve it.

[monrein]

I'm cussing really loudly in my house reading this...Lee just asked what on earth was the matter.  Cariad I'm (almost) as devastated as you both must be at this awful news.  I wouldn't know what to say either ...I just feel sad this is happening to your family.   

[KarenInWA]

Cariad, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Gwyn and your 2 boys.  I feel just like you do about our country right now.  All that seems to matter anymore is the bottom line for the ones at the top. Enough already!!!!! 

When is this madness going to stop???

As for Gwyn, what kind of engineer is he?  Is there much of a job market in your area for his line of work?  Or, do you just want to say screw it and move to a country that has a better outlook on life?

KarenInWA

[MooseMom]

As for Gwyn, what kind of engineer is he? 

I was wondering this myself.

 

[Desert Dancer]

Oh, cariad, that sucks! How in the hell can they eliminate engineering, for god's sake?

Nobody deserves this. No one. Tell Gwyn that Andy and I are thinking of him. 

Are you going to try to stay where you are or are you open to relocating (within the country)? I would think (hope) with Gwyn's background it wouldn't be impossible to find work SOMEwhere in this godforsaken nation.

[willowtreewren]

WHAT! THE! F$#@!

Sorry. I am just enraged. Sad!

I have no words to describe how I am feeling, let alone how you and Gwyn must be feeling.

Give the boys a hug for me. Tell them Carl says hi. And maybe good things WILL happen from this.

 

Aleta

[natnnnat]

Sh*t.

[chook]

Echoing Nattnatt. So sorry, cariad. 

[cariad]

Thanks everyone. I cannot really think straight right now. This is really.... something. Bad.

Gwyn was contacted by a recruiter who wants him to consider a job in Minnesota. It would be a pay cut. Again. At this rate, he'll be paying for the privilege to work inside of a decade.

We never told the kids. My older child has had too much stress in his young life already.

[jbeany]

 

[gothiclovemonkey]

 
i hope that things turn around for the better for u all.

[Poppylicious]

Yikes.  I'm so sorry Cariad. 

*huggles* < not worth much, but the thought is there.

[Bajanne]

So sorry to hear that, Cariad.  What a bummer!  My caring thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this challenging time.

[cariad]

Thank you all. I am not in the best place right now, but I'm sure I'll get there.

People are rallying round my husband, as they should. One person told Gwyn's supervisor, while he was making the announcement, that he was making a 'terrible mistake'. Gwyn called her after hours to thank her, and she said there was no way that she was going to sit there and watch this without saying something. And that is it right there. People are so scared right now that companies expect everyone to take any level of abuse because if you don't, someone else will. I have read similar accounts from pitiable losers who go to places like Thailand to have sex with prostitutes: as in, 'isn't this country awesome. she knows that if she won't do everything I say for a few pennies, there are plenty who will'. 

Gwyn and I both agree on why he was let go. They are restructuring, but that was just an excuse to get rid of him with less grounds for a lawsuit. He was told Tuesday to speak to his good friend C. about her attitude. Gwyn argued with his supervisor, saying that they were not in the business of trying to control people on that level, and that her work was consistently above reproach. This little toad not only made Gwyn speak to her about her supposed 'lack of engagement with the company' (there's a sinister bit of bullshit for you), but the supervisor sat in on the discussion. Gwyn said it was a test, and he obviously failed. He did not say this to me with any regret, and he knows me well enough to know that I would not have it any other way. I told him over the phone on Tuesday when he was telling me the story For chrissake, they don't buy your soul with that pittance they pay you. I've argued ferociously over the years with Gwyn about not ever compromising his principles for a job - basically, look darling, you want to live in this country, you better not turn into one of them because I will leave you. So, yes, I am proud of him. They expected something that he refuses to give at any price.

Four people were let go, but two had already handed in notice. Only the hourly contractors and the top level employees remain, and they are designers not engineers. One person who used to work for Gwyn and is now on his way to another company rang up Gwyn and said that if there was anything he could do, be sure to let him know.

DD, monrein, you both made me laugh and then burst into tears. That's how it is with me right now, but perhaps the only shred of sanity I retain is the ability to find the humour and the good in it. Gwyn and I are talking holidays right now. No worries about coordinating with work. School is a little tricky, but not insurmountable. The kids learn loads on these holidays, seeing how others live, so I don't worry about them missing time there.

Gwyn is a mechanical engineer. Automotive. He has a dead impressive resume having worked for some big names back when there was a functioning auto industry in this country, and back in the UK. For this last year, he's been working on a non-automotive product, and I know he misses his vehicles. Blessing in disguise? We can but hope. It never has been before, but I am open to the idea that I could be wrong. He called Australia the moment he got home yesterday, talked to a Yorkshireman in Melbourne, had a few laughs. This country lacks that - no way has he ever picked up the phone and called an American about employment and wound up chatting like old friends within minutes.

We're going to look for a protest to join (Occupy Wall Street) although I'm not clever with those signs and slogans. Try to fix up the house for sale. Talk to more Australians on Sunday (their Monday) and talk to the Brits next week. I will apply for jobs, probably won't continue with school unless they can help. There is a writing tutor job at the university that I would be happy to do, only $90/week (very part time) but better than nothing. I think I could do it in my sleep, I've done it for free most of my life.

I'm just wittering on endlessly. I don't know what else to do.

[MooseMom]

You're right...we've been turned into sheep because the fear of losing one's job is so rampant. 

Cariad, I have to ask...what does this do to your insurance coverage?  What does this mean for your transplant, etc?  Or, are these irrelevant questions?  I hate how access to healthcare is so intricately tied to one's employment; this is a major failing in this country, and it really needs to be addressed. 

What a stressful time for you.

[billybags]

cariad, I am so sorry to hear this, losing a job  and trying to find another one is mind blowing. it is not just America, we in the UK are in the same boat.The politicians are all the same, greedy bastards who think of them selves once they are in office. I wish Gwyn all the best in finding work, as the saying goes "when one door closes another one opens"  When my husband got made redundant years ago we were both devastated, it hits you like a bomb. You will come out of this and for the better. I am thinking of you both. Fingers crossed.

[cariad]

Billy, I totally agree, especially with your feelings toward politicians right and left (though mostly right!).

MM, we don't have to worry about insurance for a while, and then one option is COBRA, though it would depend on cost, or there are other options, none of them exactly encouraging. My favourite option at the moment, if possible, would be to switch our plan to just covering Gwyn and the boys, then get COBRA assistance. I would have just Medicare since we become ineligible for assistance with me on the plan, although, now that I think, I may get free 80/20 coverage through the university so long as I am a student. I am going to check right now.... If not, I am not on any majorly expensive drugs so no Part D is not as big a deal as typical transplant patients- supposed to take Valtrex until my 2-year anniversary, but I would stop or ask the company for aid. It is a huge gamble, but so long as the kids are covered, I will give it a go. My father would pay the COBRA, I know he would, but ick. Not going to go there unless we cannot afford COBRA for the boys and cannot get them on BadgerCare. Apparently, even though their queue is some 80,000 people deep, they will fast track kids.

Any non-Americans reading this that don't appreciate their health system, if you can tell me what I just said above, I'll listen to your complaints. This is what we go through in this country, constantly. The rules are always changing, the system is indecipherable, and there are pitfalls and landmines all round.

OK! I will risk the letdown and tell everyone: Gwyn got a call back from a major vehicle company and the HR person said she was REALLY EXCITED to hear from him. I listened to the message with Gwyn and she sounded sincere and she asked Gwyn to call her Monday. Everyone has been really eager to talk to Gwyn so far, but I have to be cautious with any optimism. It makes me think of the best quote from that old John Cleese film Clockwise, where they keep missing each opportunity to catch a ride to his event: It's not the despair, Laura. I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand.

I must report what Aidan said this morning. Without consulting me, Gwyn told Aidan. I really wish he hadn't, but cannot unring that bell now. Gwyn explained to Aidan that they were getting rid of all engineering, and Aidan said quite matter-of-factly: Well then, if they go bankrupt, it's their own fault. Ah, that boy is the reason to keep going.

[pitagory]

cariad I hope everything works out for you and your family.
and dont give up hope.

[boswife]

you've been on my mind much today but i just dont know what to say..  It's just so wrong and sad...  It will turn out ok, just keep the strength and it will work out.  It's just sucky until then..   

[MooseMom]

OK, well, I'm going to be all nervous until Monday, and I sure hope you will return to this thread with some good news.  I understand that fear of optimism and hope, though.  I'm really hoping that this will all turn out better than you've dared dream.  You will be in my thoughts all weekend long.

[okarol]

Hey girl, I am just seeing this, damn that sucks!
It seems many companies are getting "creative' with their firing so they don't have to pay the unemployment. Ridiculous.
I hope this is just a new beginning and the path becomes clear.
Best of luck to you both! 

[The Noob]

good Lord Cariad, what a bunch of crooks. second your sentiments. this happened to DH after 26 yrs on job and highest levels in all fields. not even a thank you for 26 years. we've moved to our other place, which i was grateful for the option, many do not have. i have no insurance at all and DH cobra being paid by NKF till next summer. i hated to put everyone through the move too, but there was no getting around it. much prayers for you and your family, this is happening everywhere here. there is a farmhouse and some land up the road for sale for $25.00..no kidding. people who've had good stable jobs are now working at McDonalds or wally world. my future son in law who was in IT is now a cook at a restaurant. it was hard for him but he's happy to have it, its min wage. my pregnant daughter works 12-16 hr shifts at a nursing home. like you said, all the greedy bastages..

[willowtreewren]

I can only keep my fingers crossed and hope that whatever happens it turns out to be a better opportunity and a move into a better workplace for Gwyn. Please tell him that we are rooting for him (and for the whole family!).

I kind of agree with Gwyn on telling Aiden. Children have such a radar for stress in their parents and when they don't know what is causing it, they often come to the mistaken conclusion that it is because of them. I think it is better to tell them straight up. It shows trust in them and includes them in the family dynamic. Of course, it is important to also share that the kids will still be safe and cared for so they don't worry about THAT! 

Let us know ASAP when you have any news.

I can't keep from thinking of you. 

Aleta

[thegrammalady]

keeping my fingers crossed for you guys.